I'm leaving for Germany in 3 days, any last minute recommendations??
 

I am leaving on a business/leisure trip to Germany this week. We will be visiting the cities of Dusseldorf, Aachen, Monschau, and Koln. ALthough some time is scheduled I will have a good deal of free time. I admit I have not researched for this trip as much other European vacations simply because my itinerary was set by someone else in terms of the cities visited. I would appreciate any suggestions on places of interest, I enjoy gardening/horticulture, wine, art - but do not want to overdo the museums, and shopping. I'm not a fan of heavily touristed areas but rather areas where I can soak up local flavor. Thanks!

A boat trip down the Rhine would be wonderful; you can hop on/off the boat. My favorite town is St. Goar. Also, if you can make a 2-hour drive from Koln to Trier, that's a town worthy of seeing.

You will enjoy Aachen, Monshau, and Koln. D-dorf is a big city and not a tourist attraction. Given time I would head for the Mosel area and the Rhine south of Koblenz. Worth seeing in the Mosel are Trier (old roman ruins) and the towns of Bernkastel, Traben-Traubach, Cochem and Burg Eltz (a real castle and much more interesting than Neuschwanstein. In the Middle Rhine, Rudesheim, Bacharach, and Braubach (Marksburg Castle), are delightful towns. It's a little late for any horticultural endeavors and most of the wine fests are over, but there is plenty of good wine to savor. ENJOY!

Click anywhere on this message to respond - - the original post is on www.travel-board.com<BR><BR>Exchanging euros/dollars with other travelers<BR><BR>I never think about this until it's too late - - after passing through passport control, and twiddling my thumbs at the airport gate.<BR><BR>But why don't we get rid of our last few euros right at the airport by standing near the gate of arriving passengers? Why use the bank as a middle man? Departing passengers should simply stand outside the arriving passengers area with euros in an out stretched hand - - and then exchange with arriving passengers one for one for US dollars.<BR><BR>We never think to do this when we are departing.<BR><BR>Anyone ever tried such a thing?<BR><BR>I'd be interested to hear about any such experiences - - and especially if you try it as a result of my posting the suggestion here.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

We leave on Saturday for Germany. I spoke with a friend in Munich and her advice was to bring an umbrella and warm clothing. It has been damp with temps in the 50's (F) during the day. <BR>Enjoy your trip! <BR>

only 2 days left!<BR>

Rex, I am not sure it's fair to post a direct link to another travel board in the fodors board. If you post the weblink, is fair game, but... a direct link? Please don't get me wrong; I am just wondering.... (thanks again for your help on the transp FCO- hotel).

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I know we do have a cruise onthe Rhine scheduled for one day, but other than that its pretty free. Now I just have to begin the packing - ugh!

D&uuml;sseldorf: The K&ouml;nigsallee is one of the most expensive shopping miles in Germany. If you're a fan of Japanese food, D&uuml;sseldorf is probably the best place in Germany to get it. Go into the old town for dinner and nigtlife.<BR><BR>K&ouml;ln: Several very good museums. I like the Museum Ludwig for modern art and the R&ouml;misch-Germanische museum (Romans in Germany). Something very different: the Stollwerck chocolate museum. If you're interested in the post-war German history: In Bonn (about 25 minutes away from Colgne), there's the Haus der Deutschen Geschichte.<BR>And if you're in Cologne, go for one of the brewery pubs. The Fr&uuml;h is quite nice and very close to the cathedral. I also like the P&auml;ffgen. Try one of the traditional dishes, like Himmel un &Auml;&auml;d. It's fried liver and blood sausage with mashed potatoes, onions and apple sauce. Tastes much better than this sounds.